CROC Ride

[Aint Doody]

Eastern Oregon is a wonderful place to have a bike ride, and we're having one. Actually this is the 6th year, and it just gets better and better. It's Memorial Day Week-end, and it's a bargain. $140 for 3 days of fully supported riding and 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners, an opening reception, SAG stops every 25 miles. Our SAG stops are really unique. They all have a theme. Last year mine was the "Old South." My 2 brothers came out from Mississippi & helped. We were in antebellum costumes and served grits--and other things. People in the PNW found out they liked grits! (Well, they had salsa & cheese in them--anything is good with salsa & cheese.) This year my SAG stop is a "White Trash" SAG stop. Y'all all have to come out to see what that involves. And the other stops will be Hawaiian, 50's diner, western, and other really fun stuff.

It's all volunteer and we're not raising $$ for anything--just trying to have an affordable ride and break even. Here we have very little traffic and the scenery is amazing. We have roads through rolling wheat fields, along the Umatilla River with rimrock, into the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and the optional challenge up Cabbage Hill. On a clear day from Cabbage you can see Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. I've even seen Mt. Rainier from there.

Check out our website www.cyclependleton.com We'll be at Bike Expo. Don't miss out on a terrific ride!

[Veronica]

Bummer, too far for me to drive in a day.

V.

[oxysback]

Cabbage Hill?? My old CAR had problems going up Cabbage Hill!! :eek::eek::eek:

[Aint Doody]

It is a challenge, but I can do it....I'm 59 years young, too. And you can always drive up and ride from there!

[bikerHen]

My sister and I are definetly coming. YEAH!

I hope Cabbage hill isn't on any of the metric century routes. :o Not for me of course,:rolleyes: but my sister hasn't had to much experience riding hills. I'm planning to start working her on them as soon as the roads are clear. All of you with bossy older sisters, know how much fun I'm going to have with this! Hee, hee, hee! :D :D bikerHen

[Kano]

I remember trying to talk DH into this one last spring. I wonder if I'll have more luck this year??????

Karen in Boise

[Aint Doody]

Good luck, Kano! Our website is finally up and going strong. Take a look www.cyclependleton.com And look for us in booth 156 (I think) at Bike Expo. Can't wait to see some TE ladies out here in Eastern Oregon.

[Starfish]

I remember last year thinking this would be a very pretty ride. I'm putting it on my radar...can't commit just yet! :)

[Aint Doody]

Come on, Starry--it's gonna be terrific!

[Starfish]

Come on, Starry--it's gonna be terrific!

I sent the email out giving folks at work a heads up that I might be gone an extra day or two that weekend...I think I might come.

I noticed there were listings for hotels in Pendleton...what about car camping areas...any special suggestions?

[Aint Doody]

Excellent! You can camp for free at Wildhorse Resort Casino. This is where all the rides will begin and end--actually at the Tamastlikt Cultural Center (TCI) which is on the premises. There are showers available and a swimming pool there as well. I can promise you a great time. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Susan

[Starfish]

Susan, I'm going to PM you... :)

[Grog]

It looks like a pretty awesome ride! My husband and I are planning to ride in Northern California, Oregon and Washington around those dates, perhaps we'll join!

Has it not filled up yet?

[Aint Doody]

Still open, Grog, but filling up fast. Come on & join in!

[GLC1968]

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun!

We just drove through that country on our way here last week and it was a beautiful area. I'm sending the link to my husband in the hopes that we can put this weekend on our schedule! :)

[Starfish]

I'm sending the link to my husband in the hopes that we can put this weekend on our schedule! :)

That's right! You're around here, now! If we both end up going, we should plan to meet up for at least a hello! :)

[GLC1968]

That's right! You're around here, now! If we both end up going, we should plan to meet up for at least a hello! :)

I would totally love to meet up!

DH has agreed that he'd like to do this ride, too. We've got a bunch of bills to cover, but once we do, our plan is to register! I just hope that we can get this taken care of while there is still space available. :) I will keep you posted!

[Starfish]

I will keep you posted!

Same here...I might do a trip to CA in April...if I do, I might not do the CROC ride.

[Aint Doody]

On Sun. I rode my bicycle out to check out the camping area. It's a nice grassy area off to the side of where the RVs park. There are trees there; however, they are pretty small. It's still close to the pool, the building with laundry facilities and showers, and an area with a big fire pit and benches. Should be nice. Come on, y'all--I promise a good time.

Susan

[Grog]

So what type of weather should we expect in Eastern Oregon at the end of May?

[Aint Doody]

You can expect sunshine with really cool nights and daytime highs in the upper 60's to 70's. We're on the dry side of the state. However, that said, be prepared for anything! We've only had rain in one CROC in 6 years. But I understand that La Nina is in control and that could mean anything. We've also had some CROCs where it got into the upper 80's one day. But our humidity over here is really low. We're now having our late winter & early spring rain which means it'll be green. You need to come see it green; it's usually beige!

[Starfish]

it's usually beige!

LOL...I was telling someone recently that when I go on vacation, I aim for white (snow) or beige and brown (sunny). Green = rain, to me.

I start to get cheery when I see brown hills...means I am going to get warm, or at least dry!

[Wahine]

I'm going to try to convince DH this weekend that we need to do this. I'm really pumped but I'm not sure what his reaction will be. I think I can make it happen. We'd be camping likely.

[Grog]

I think we'll do the same. We're going to finalize our decision this weekend!

[GLC1968]

We will also be making our decision this weekend! I don't know if we'll camp or not...it depends on how much of our camping gear actually made it into the right moving boxes. If we've got it, we'll camp too.

[Kano]

I'm going to try to convince DH this weekend that we need to do this. I'm really pumped but I'm not sure what his reaction will be. I think I can make it happen. We'd be camping likely.

I sent mine off to look at the web site, and he read it -- and said it sounded like a cool thing to do SOMEYEAR. Like last year, he says "we're not ready" for it. I'd REALLY like to bring him along. It's a beautiful area, and he's never been. I've only had the pleasure of driving through (mandatory stop at the woollen mills) and would love to explore.

I'm pretty sure he'll be stubborn about this "we're not ready" thing -- he grumbles about the hours in the car to ride, and would only be happy riding the big rides after driving all that way to ride... Like there's nothing else to do?

I might have to do this on my own -- but I'd love to include him! (have to work on my inner someone and see if I can talk myself into doing those hills!)

Karen in Boise

[bikerHen]

Hey Kano, My sister and I are signed up to go and we are both very hill challenged. :eek: There's going to be a lot of inner talking going on when I'm climbing those hills! Something along the lines of what the f--- was I thinking. :D

We are training as much as possible but I don't think we will be "ready" either. We are planning to do the metric centuries everyday and I figure even I can ride 62 miles in a day. And if I can't? Bring on the SAG wagon!

I'll just be happy to be out in the sunshine riding my bike and enjoying the company, good food and entertainment Aint Doody keeps telling us about. bikerHen

[Wahine]

I'm one step closer. DH has agreed but we still have to confirm that we don't have any family obligations that weekend. No family issues = CROC ride.:D

[Grog]

Same for us, Wahine.

Now I only need to contact them to make sure to somehow confirm a spot, because I'll have to go through the trouble of getting a money order in US dollars...

[Grog]

Ok, we're in.

I'm sending our registration forms and payment tonight. This should be fun.

Looks like we'll be camping.

This will be the start of our vacation. Then we'll drive down towards California for more rides before making our way back up the coast. Suggestions welcome.

[bikerHen]

Hi Grog, I look foward to meeting you. Hope you won't mind if we pick your brain about places to ride on Vancouver Island. We're hoping to spend a week this summer riding and camping there. bikerHen

[Wahine]

I just filled out my registration form and wrote a check. Must go find an envelope.

[Grog]

Hi Grog, I look foward to meeting you. Hope you won't mind if we pick your brain about places to ride on Vancouver Island. We're hoping to spend a week this summer riding and camping there. bikerHen

I'll try to bring a map!

Bring maps of your favourite rides!!

[Aint Doody]

Oooh, oooh, oooh!!! I've just now taken a look at this thread after getting back from Cycle Zydeco. I'm soooo excited that y'all are all coming. It's gonna be wonderful. Wait til you see our SAG stops! We go all out on those. We may have to have a TE circle or something at registration. I'll keep y'all posted on what's happening in Pendleton. And, yes, the woolen mills is a definite. And you must go to Hamley's--it's a real cowboy store. Even if you don't want to purchase anything, it's fabulous to just see. It's right downtown. And a favorite beer/wine fun place for Fri. night after the opening reception is Great Pacific. Look out! I'll plan every minute of your week-end!! The metric centuries are great rides. The one on Sat. is my favorite ride in the area--no traffic and eye-popping views. OK--I'll shut up--I can go on for far too long. See y'all in May.

Susan

[Sprocket's Mom]

:D Me too! Me too!!! Wahine talked me into coming and I'm trying to drag along another friend who just got a new "steed". This will be fun for me as I lived in Pendleton for awhile back in 1998-99. I really enjoyed my time there and spent lots of time out in the back country due to my job. It will be fun to revisit the nooks and crannys!
I know about the Great Pacific and can definately agree that it's the place for yummy sandwiches/beer/wine.
And if the weather is really warm and the pool at the cultural center is busy we can all run over to the community pool/water park complete with slides! Or even head out to the reservoir. Oh boy oh boy!!
This will be fun to meet other TE gals!

[Aint Doody]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I'm soooo excited.....

[Sprocket's Mom]

AD- My friend wants a promise that it won't be windy!! :p Hahahahaha!!! I figure worst case scenario there will be enough of us there for a regular old paceline. :D
Do you happen to know how close they are to filling all the spots? I told her to get her registration in ASAP!!!!:cool:

[Aint Doody]

Oh, we have only tail winds in Eastern Oregon!!! As of today we have 175, and our limit is 250, but the registrations are starting to come in faster. We were full last year, and our registrar says we're about 20 riders ahead of where we were this time last year. Sooooo--tell her to get on the ball.

[Aint Doody]

If any of y'all are sitting on the fence trying to decide whether or not to come to the CROC, you need to get down off that fence! We're filling up. We have only about 30 spaces left. The weather is improving daily. Don't miss out! Sign up online at www.cyclependleton.com It's a great ride. You can see me at the White Trash SAG Stop where I'll be serving cheese grits and other wonderful delicacies from below the Mason-Dixon Line.

[Aint Doody]

Our registration has closed. We have 250 riders, and the weatherman has promised ideal cycling weather. Surely glad it wasn't last week-end; it was HOT, HOT, HOT!!! It's supposed to be in the 70's for the Memorial Day Week-end! I'll see all y'all who are joining us for this super-fun ride on Fri. I'll be working at the registration table. And if you do the 100 miles the first day, I'll be the platinum-blonde floozy at the White Trash SAG stop at Hat Rock.

Susan--head trashy woman

[Grog]

Should we have a TE banner somewhere? Do we have anyone who has a TE hat or something?

I could wear my Amici Veloci jersey, do you guys have one too?

[Wahine]

Surely glad it wasn't last week-end; it was HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

I'll say. I was crewing for some riders training out in the John Day area.:eek::eek:

I think we should make up a TE get together plan. I don't have anything to specifically ID me as TE so we'll have to pick a place to meet or something,

[Aint Doody]

Let's seeeeeeeee. I'll be checking in people at the regis. desk. I'm brunette with a Southern accent. (That makes me pretty easy to pick out.) Registration/reception goes from 5 until 8 pm. What if we meet at the regis. desk at 7 pm? I would imagine that by then I'd be able to shake free. Or if this fails, we could meet on Sat. evening at the pre-dinner function. Dinner is at 6 pm, but the room will be open at 5 pm, I think. Yeah--this sounds good--let's meet at the bar at 5:30 pm. I'm thinking the bar they will have set up for cyclists in the banquet room--not the lounge.

Anyhow, I'll be at both places. It'll be fun to get to finally meet y'all. I've met Bad JuJu and Harley at other places. I want to see Bikerhen's tattoo in the flesh. She was the inspiration for our croc mascot. Wait til y'all get the cool stuff in the bags. We stuffed them last night. And I'm really pumped up about the weather forecast. I surely hope it holds. It's raining today, which is a good thing.

And y'all will love our SAG stops. Now, if we can just get ODOT to sweep the bike lanes, but that's another long story.

[bikerHen]

And if you do the 100 miles the first day, I'll be the platinum-blonde floozy at the White Trash SAG stop at Hat Rock.

Susan--head trashy woman

Dang! Wish we were doing the hundred! But I think we'll be hard pressed doing the metric ride each day. Maybe you should stay in costume for our meeting in the bar saturday night? :D

It looks like Eastern Washington is gearing up for it's usual dreary Memorial Day weekend. I'm expecting the sun to be shining in Oregon. :p We can't leave Spokane until about four. I'm thinking about 3ish hours to get there? Hope we won't miss the party. bikerHen

[Aint Doody]

You should be here before the party ends. It goes til 8 pm. I'll still be there waiting for you! I dunno about wearing my floozy outfit to the dinner. I might do it, but I ain't promisin' nuthin.'

Susan

[Grog]

Let's do 7 p.m. at the registration table.

I'm Brigitte. French being my first language, I have a hard time distinguishing accents, but I'll look for Susan. :) And I should recognize Wahine somewhere in there. (Well, maybe.)

[Wahine]

Should I wear my tri kit for ya? You'll recognize me then f'sure.

I am soooooooo power psyched about this weekend.:D:D

[Susan126]

I will be with you guys in "spirit" . . . but I sure wish I could be THERE! Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! And this Memorial Day weekend looks like it's going to be a nice one throughout the northwest! :D

[Aint Doody]

Everybody will get a stick on name tag. I'll put my real name and then my TE name on mine. We can all do that! So I'll have Susan Kelley "Aint Doody." Ca va, Brigette?

Wahine, I'm glad you're psyched. I can hardly sit still at this minute. I don't get to ride on Sat. because of my SAG stop, but I'll be on the asphalt on Sun. and Mon.

See y'all Fri.!!!!!!

Susan -- "Aint" is the southern pronunciation of aunt

[bikerHen]

Susan -- "Aint" is the southern pronunciation of aunt

You totally sparked my memory with that. My mom was born and raised in East Texas and she spoke of all her aunts as Aint whatever . . . :D

I'm not sure we'll be there my 7pm, my sister can't sneak away from work until after 3:30 :( bikerhen

[Grog]

Everybody will get a stick on name tag. I'll put my real name and then my TE name on mine. We can all do that! So I'll have Susan Kelley "Aint Doody." Ca va, Brigette?

Awesome!

It's actually Brigitte, like "Breejeet". Since moving to Vancouver I discovered that some people thought that my name was Indian, not French!! :D Go figure.

[Wahine]

I'm still power psyched even though it might rain on us and we're camping. Getting my gear together and DH and I will likely be leaving here at about 1:30. I get to try out my new sleeping bag from REI!! See y'all tonight!!

[Wahine]

All I have to say is that this is one heck of an event. The staff and volunteers are amazing. The SAGs were unparalleled. We were fed and taken care of like kings and queens!!

Thank you so much to Susan and the CROC crew!!:D:D:D:D

And to the rest of you.... if you can come to this event do, it is the best organized ride that I have ever been on.

I'll be posting pics later. But now I must sleep.

[Aint Doody]

Thanks for the kind words, Wahine! Y'all should see this girl. She's an amazing cyclists--and pretty cute, too! We did have a great ride. We had BikerHen and her sister, Wahine, Sprockets Mom, Grog, and spouses. Did I leave anybody out?

We work really hard, but it's so very gratifying to see cyclists come to our area and ride our wonderful routes. And we really have fun at our SAG stops. (I'm sorta worried about the picture that's gonna be posted!)

Hope y'all all come back next year. We tend to improve it every year.

[bikerHen]

We had a great time! Thanks Susan and CROC organizers for a super duper weekend. SAG, food stops, rides and meals were all just perfect. Even riding to the top of cabbage hill in the rain was quite the epic adventure. :D Although I'm going to have to practice riding over those darn cattle guards. :eek: We're already talking about next year! We HAVE to get our number 2 patch! Right? :rolleyes: bikerHen

My only suggestion for improvement might be an anti rain dance?

[Sprocket's Mom]

There's not much I can add in the way of raves for this ride and for all of the volunteers and their outstanding support. Wahine and I talked about it and while I've been on many organized rides some of which are MUCH larger, I have never been on one where I felt so well taken care of. Every SAG the folks greeted us warmly and offered any or all of what they had. The food was incredible!!! It's tough when you can't stop eating at each stop! :D And we never felt "alone" out there. There were ALWAYS support vehicles driving by, checking on us, cheering us on and making sure all was well. And just when you most needed a hot baked potato at the top of the wettest hill around....there they were! Well done you guys! Couldn't have asked for a more SATISFYING weekend! Any ride that can move me to tears of joy is definately one worth putting down as a regular! Thanks to all!

[Wahine]

The first photo is of Sprocket's Mom, Me and Aint Doody. The second is a rock formation close to Aint Doody's trailer park trash SAG.

[Sprocket's Mom]

Well, aren't we cute??? With NOOOOOOO idea of what the next day was gonna be like!! Bwahahahahaha!!!!:rolleyes:

[Wahine]

Here are some more photos (http://picasaweb.google.com/AKAWahine/CROCPhotos), including pics of Sprocket's Mom wringing out her socks in the rain on day 2. Yes, it was really raining that hard.

[Aint Doody]

Well, girls, y'all look like real cyclists. I, on the other hand, look like a 2-bit ???!!! It was really fun. I hate to tell y'all, but our club rode up Cabbage Hill yesterday in beautiful sunshine and 60-70 degree temperatures.

I'm so glad that the ride was fun for everybody. There was a smallish article in our local paper. You'd think they would cover it better, but that's our paper. The comment about our White Trash SAG stop was that there were 4 women there dressed in entertaining costumes! How funny! I do hope everybody will come back next year--you know you need that little 2.

Susan (aka Marlene--with Darlene, Charlene, and Karlene at the White Trash Stop)

[Grog]

WHAT A GREAT EVENT!!

Thanks to Susan and the whole CROC crew, we had a FANTASTIC time down in Pendleton. The weather was a little bit annoying on the second day but it makes for more stories to tell!!!!!

And the SAG stops were the best I have ever seen.

Thank you SO MUCH for putting that event together and for making us aware of it. It was great to visit your area and ride your routes, and of course great to meet you all!!

I wish we could make it again down there in the future!

[Aint Doody]

I've had so much fun going back and reading all the posts about last year. And guess what!!! We're taking registrations for 2009. Grog, bikerHen, Wahine, and Sprocket's Mom should all get regis. forms in the mail. (Yes, we sent one to Canada with the extra postage!) Anyway it's gonna be another great ride. We've had to up it to $150, but everything is basically the same. There's one change--the Fri. reception is at Hamley's Slickfork Saloon which is an amazing place in downtown Pendleton.

I think I'm going to be on the metric this year with my white trash sisters--Charlene, Darlene, and Marlene. We do have on-line registration--check the website at www.cyclependleton.com. There is a dinner on Sat. night, but somehow that's not mentioned in one place. Dinners on Sat. and Sun. and breakfast all 3 days.

There may be some slight variations on the routes, but I missed the last meeting and am not sure. The maps will be on the website if they aren't already.

Come on to Eastern Oregon!!!

[Grog]

It looks awesome, Susan! I would have loved to go but there is no way I could be there on May 23rd in the morning because I will probably be turning in my PhD dissertation on the 22nd, as late as the office will be open! :eek: I might spend the weekend in Portland, but getting all the way to Pendleton, especially without a car, is not going to be possible. :( I wish it was a bit closer to Vancouver.

I strongly encourage anyone who can make it to Pendleton, OR, to go CROC it! It was really a nicely organized three-day event with great scenery.

And your rest stop was, by far, the most memorable. Chris often says how he wishes we had taken more pictures.

[Wahine]

I will second what Grog said. This is a fantastic event and I had a wonderful time. This was one of the best events I've ever been to and I would strongly encourage anyone who can go to make it there.:cool:

Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it this year. :( I've commited to a 2 person mixed team for a 12 hour raod race that weekend. Darn. It was tough to give up CROC but my endurance racing habit needs to be fed.

Have fun ladies!!

[LilBolt]

Cheesy Grits!!!!! Here I come. (hmmm...my last few posts have been about food...perhaps I need to rethink why I ride...nah).

[Aint Doody]

Lilbolt! Glad you're coming--part of John's group, I'm sure. And Wahine and Grog, we'll miss you. Turning in your dissertation--whoa, that's major indeed. I cannot even imagine that pressure. And thanks, ladies, for your kind words about our event. It is indeed a fun time. I'll put up pictures after the event. But I'll be encouraging more to attend on this post lots more.

[bikerHen]

My sister and I will be coming back this year. She seems to think we need to ride up Cabbage Hill again. :eek: I disagree, but I can't let her show me up! I'm already stressing about those cattle guards. It's all about the food and good times. THAT'S why I'm going back.

Aint Doody, glad you'll be covering the metric options. That way I'll get to see ya! Have to save my strength for that dang hill! bikerHen

[LilBolt]

Everyone who did Cabbage Hill in that rain last year qualifies for gutsy in my book (we decided to go sightseeing in the rain...we were dry, but not much of a sense of accomplishment.) The cattle guards will be just a minor nuisance if we have dry weather, and I will gladly slay them. :D

[Aint Doody]

Bikerhen, if you could tackle that hill with the headwind in Palm Springs, you can do Cabbage again. And we'll do our best to have a sunny day. Can't wait to see all y'all!!!

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan,

I've been spending time working on my training calendar for this year, and have officially added the CROC to my schedule for the year. WooHoo! Can't wait to come out and ride it again.

It would be really fun to have a TE get-together.

Susan

[Aint Doody]

Well, we just will! I know bikerHen is coming--and Lilbolt. We'll see who else. Bring Edna. What else is she gonna be doing with Dave gone?

We're already half full. And we've got some fun SAG stops planned.

[bikerHen]

You can add my sister to the list too. She is so excited about CROC she might have been your first sign-up! She's a TE lurker. Maybe we can talk her into joining up. :rolleyes: bikerHen

[Susan Otcenas]

I just wrote out my check! If you were here, you'd see me doing a little happy dance right now. :D

We've decided to camp. Susan, is the camping option halfway decent? Does the RV have a designated tent-camping area so that we won't be stuck next to someone's obnoxious generator roaring all night? I presume that camping gets us access to hot showers...

Susan

[Aint Doody]

Yes, it's off to the side of the RV area with some smallish trees. It's not the greatest, but it's free and away from the RV's by roughly 100 yards at least. There is access to hot showers. As I recall there is a fire pit there, too. I hear that they've added some new sod to enlarge the area.

[Sprocket's Mom]

Hey, don't worry, the camping area is perfectly nice. If you're looking for secluded forested campsites, forget it, but this is a bike ride!!! So it's a small tent city but I don't recall any loud folks at night (everyone was respectful of others the first night, and after that...well, everyone's too tired!).
Showers are available and while there might be a small wait from time to time, I don't recall having to wait very long any day.
It's really fun, and the camping (I think) adds to the experience.;)

[Grog]

The camping area is just great, Susan, don't worry about it. And the views are lovely!

[Aint Doody]

We're getting close to the maximum we allow--250. If you want to have a fun Memorial Day Week-end, get signed up quickly.

www.cyclependleton.com

[bikerHen]

Hey Aint Doody,
How's the weather shaping up down there? Heard on the news last night that the blue mountains almost got wash away yesterday. Should we bring our rain gear? :D bikerHen

[Aint Doody]

It is supposed to be a fabulous week-end. The high is predicted in the low 80s/upper 70s and sunshine with a few clouds. Lows are around 50. No rain in the forecast. How does that sound???

Today the roads are being marked. My Elvis cupcakes have been baked and are in the freezer. I still have to get the grits going. Last evening we stuffed the "goody bags" and stuffed pirates and TV personalities. (Got your curiosity up?) The wanted poster for the outlaw is all ready. Our volunteer T-shirts are being passed out. The Kamanawana Lei U stop is ready. Nikii has her delicious vegetable chili all made for the Western stop. Pendleton blankets for the raffle are lovely. This year's CROC socks are in & lookin' good.

Fri. night we'll be at the Slickfork Saloon at Hamleys in downtown P'ton for our opening, and the CROC bucks will be given out there to purchase "adult beverages."

We are still sorta having to lean on ODOT to make sure the shoulders are swept. I'm getting a personal reputation with them as a b*!ch, I think! They just don't understand why we need the roads swept, as they'll just get dirty again!

Let's see--I haven't mentioned everything, but it's all coming together. Oh, and our massage therapist will be located in a teepee at Wildhorse. We have different Sun. night entertainment that'll make you want to get up and dance. Whew! Can't wait to see everybody!!!

[bikerHen]

It sounds like you're all ready for us. CROC bucks for adult beverages? Good idea! :D
My only request would be for carpet runners over those #%!#*! cattle grates on Cabbage Hill. Yes, I'm still stressing about those darn things! :o bikerHen

Just in case . . . Hope you won't be offended if I bring my rain gear.

[Susan Otcenas]

Jeff & I can hardly wait! I'm busily making up my "to bring" list. If I don't work off a packing list I always forget something. :o We're planning on leaving Portland by 9am on Friday so that we'll have plenty of time to drive, setup the tent and explore before the get together on Friday night.

I've been perusing the route maps for the past few days. I think we're going to do the century on Saturday on our tandem, then do the rides on Sunday and Monday on our singles.

If anyone wants to stop by our campsite to say HI, please do! We'll have a big sunshade set up right over the entrance to our tent with our blue camp chairs set up underneath. My pickup is a red Nissan with a big tall black canopy on it. It's very distinctive because the canopy is about 1 foot taller than the top of my truck.

Who else is camping this year?

Susan

[LilBolt]

Oh boy! As if grits aren't enough...we get cupcakes, too??? Is there going to be sunscreen at the rest stops? Those of us from the western side of the mountains are gonna fry.

We are staying at the Rugged Country Inn...spreading support throughout the local economy. ;)

This is a mini-honeymoon for Bruce & I, we just got hitched last Friday. Ironically, we had CROC on our calendar way before the wedding date.

Looking forward to meeting some TErs in person, too.

Deanna (also answers to Dee)

[Sprocket's Mom]

Oh boy! I can't stand it! I gotta jump in here!
I'm starting to get way psyched about this weekend. I too plan on leaving fairly early on Friday in order to get to the site and get a place picked out. My tent is the HUGE one that sports three rooms and it's tough to find a place suited to it. Susan, I'll be looking for ya as I am a good friend of echidna's (Sandy).
I'll admit I'm not in nearly as good of shape as I was last year but if we can avoid the rain and fog from last Sunday then I'll be happy.
I'm bringing a virgin along this year and keep promising her that she'll have a good time. In fact, I told her that if she didn't have a swell time, she could put something slimy in my sleeping bag! :p
All I know is that I'm not falling for the false milkshake advertisement again this year!!! :eek:

[bikerHen]

My sister and I are camping too. I'm bringing the tent trailer. This will be my first trip setting it up without DH. :o I made the reservation over a month ago and said we wanted to be by the tents, so I hope we are. We're leaving Spokane as soon as my sister can sneak away from work, hopefully before 1pm. I'm looking foward to meeting everyone. We are going to keep that campground a rocking! :D

And Lilbolt, how sweet! This will be a mini honeymoon for you . . . and you told us where your staying! Ladies, we may have to have a lil' fun with this. :rolleyes: bikerHen

[Grog]

I'm very envious. I wish you all a good time, and a sunny day when going up Cabbage Hill in particular!

[LilBolt]

"And Lilbolt, how sweet! This will be a mini honeymoon for you . . . and you told us where your staying! Ladies, we may have to have a lil' fun with this. bikerHen"

YIKES! :eek:

We have a single male friend who decided at the last minute to come along...we have set the boundaries! Anyone care to keep him occupied??? :p

[evangundy]

It is supposed to be a fabulous week-end. The high is predicted in the low 80s/upper 70s and sunshine with a few clouds. Lows are around 50. No rain in the forecast. How does that sound??? Can't wait to see everybody!!!

So, Dave says to say hello, and hope everything goes great this weekend. Have fun! Maybe one of these years we won't be working or racing at PIR on Memorial Weekend and we'll be able to join you on this ride. But I think as long as I'm on the board of our OHPV club, I'm committed to being at PIR.

Hope to see you on the road somewhere this year :-)
Edna

[Aint Doody]

Well, I've just been grinnin' like a mule eatin' briars reading y'all's posts! I'm sooooo excited!! For the century riders--I'm at the 1st SAG stop--"White Trash." I'll be in the black leatherette mini skirt and the black & white stiped high wedge heels. I'll also be sporting a platinum blond wig and 3/4 lb eye shadow.

If I didn't have a nice bed to sleep in at home, I'd take my tent out to W'horse. Sounds like the place will be partying for sure!

See y'all Fri. at the Slickfork Saloon.---Oh, and, Lisa, bring your rain gear if you want--you might get squirted with a hose or something!!!

[Sprocket's Mom]

Another fantastic weekend!!! Better than last year even!! Thanks to Aint Doody and all her friends who helped put on another super event! My friend thoroughly enjoyed herself and is already talking of next year.
The ride up Cabbage couldn't have been more beautiful!
Susan it was really great meeting you. I hope we'll run into each other again.
Now if my bum will just heal up in time for my next ride this weekend! :p

[Susan Otcenas]

3 days, 225 miles, and multiple new tan lines!

What an AWESOME weekend. I'll write more later (and post pictures!) but I just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to Susan Kelly and all the incredible volunteers who put this ride on each year. I didn't think it could get better than the last time we did it, but wow, they went and outdid themselves yet again.

Put this one on your calendar for next year. Seriously. Don't miss out on this amazing weekend!!

[Aint Doody]

Thank y'all for the kudos! It is so much fun for us, too. And how bout that weather?!!!! It was so great being with Susan & Jeff, Sprocket's Mom and her sister, and bikerHen and her sister, and Lilbolt and her new husband. Funny I didn't see too much of them......

I don't know if y'all all got to the Spring Hollow SAG stop, but I found the food there unbelievable--especially the orange sorbet with a kick! And I couldn't get out of the porta-potty for reading all the jokes.

All of us CROC people thought it was a total success. Here's a link to an article in our local paper that I think y'all will enjoy.

http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48&ArticleID=92988&TM=46104.09

[LilBolt]

We had yet another outstanding CROC experience. Great riding, fantastic support, and wonderful people! We were the lucky winners of the Pendleton blanket...neither of us is particularly lucky in games of chance, so we were shocked to have the winning ticket. Sorry that I didn't meet all the TE members who were there, but I did have a good time talking to Susan. By the way, did you go for that run after your ride on Sunday? We ended up going to Hamley coffee shop for a great BLT&A. I'll do my best to make up for it this week. ;)

[bikerHen]

Add my praise to the CROC ride as well. My sister and I had a super + weekend. It was great to meet Susan and Jeff, sorry I didn't connect with Sprocket or Lil Bolt. :( The weather was much better this year, you were right Susan (Aint Doody) there was no rain, just lots and lots of sunshine! :D We had a blast at the campground. It's the only way to go. It was an almost perfect weekend. I broke a spoke on my road bike the first day. Luckily I brought my Surly, all 30 pounds of it, to ride up and then a fabulous down on Cabbage Hill! We didn't get to ride the third day because my sister . . . well let's just say she had a couple of blisters in places you REALLY don't want to have blisters! :rolleyes:

Our thanks to all the wonderful CROC volunteers for another great weekend! Hope to see you all again next year! bikerHen

[Aint Doody]

Lisa, I hope Melinda's blisters are better. And I hope you get your spoke situation cleared up. Ladies, it was amazing to see bikerHen ride up Cabbage on that bike!

Lilbolt, I didn't realize you won the blanket. Consider it a wedding gift. Congrats!

We're still having perfect weather in Eastern Oregon, but I'm at work--fah!

[bikerHen]

Lisa, I hope Melinda's blisters are better. And I hope you get your spoke situation cleared up. Ladies, it was amazing to see bikerHen ride up Cabbage on that bike!

. . . amazingly slow even for me! :D But that downhill was extra sweeet!!! Took my wheel to the bike shop and they've decided all the spokes need to be replaced. Of course they have to special order the spokes! Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's fixed by June 6th for the Apple Century in Wenatchee. Melinda is keeping her finger crossed the blisters are healed up for the century as well. :rolleyes: